The absorption spectra of halogens and inter-halogen compounds in solution in carbon tetrachloride
When two solutions are mixed the absorption spectrum of the new solution will be the mean of those of the separate solutions provided that no chemical interaction occures. The mere fact of a departure from additivity does not, however, necessarily denote the formation of true chemical compounds. The solute or solutes may undergo solvation, loosely bound aggregates may occur, and even when marked deviations from the simple law of mixtures are observed it is rarely possible to prove the quantitative formation of a given chemical compound from spectroscopic data alone. The above considerations apply with some force to the problem of the absorption spectra of halogens and inter-halogen compounds in an inert solvent. The three elements show perfectly characteristic absorption bands, they are known to interact with the formation of some quite stable compounds, some relatively stable compounds, and some apparently very unstable compounds.